GAF=83

I was reviewing this GAF Scale for one of my clients last week and wondered whether everyone I know should be evaluated. It helps me understand where people are and how I should relate to them. If you are going to do this remember that the Scale is to be rated with respect only to psychological, social and occupational functioning. Do not include impairment in functioning due to physical (or environmental) limitations. If you fall below 50 …Uhm!

Code
100 - 91

Superior functioning in a wide range of activities, life's problems never seem to get out of hand, is sought out by others because of his or her many positive qualities. No symptoms.
90 - 81
Absent or minimal symptoms (e.g., mild anxiety before an exam), good functioning in all areas, interested and involved in a wide range of activities, socially effective, generally satisfied with life, no more than everyday problems or concerns (e.g., an occasional argument with family members).
80 - 71
If symptoms are present, they are transient and expectable reactions to psychosocial stressors (e.g., difficulty concentrating after family argument); no more than slight impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., temporarily falling behind in schoolwork).
70 - 61
Some mild symptoms (e.g., depressed mood and mild insomnia) OR some difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., occasional truancy, or theft within the household), but generally functioning pretty well, has some meaningful interpersonal relationships.
60 - 51
Moderate symptoms (e.g., flat affect and circumstantial speech, occasional panic attacks) OR moderate difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., few friends, conflicts with peers or co-workers).
50 - 41
Serious symptoms (e.g., suicidal ideation, severe obsessional rituals, frequent shoplifting) OR any serious impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., no friends, unable to keep a job).
40 - 31
Some impairment in reality testing or communication (e.g., speech is at times illogical, obscure, or irrelevant) OR major impairment in several areas, such as work or school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood (e.g., depressed man avoids friends, neglects family, and is unable to work; child frequently beats up younger children, is defiant at home, and is failing at school).
30 - 21
Behavior is considerably influenced by delusions or hallucinations OR serious impairment, in communication or judgment (e.g., sometimes incoherent, acts grossly inappropriately, suicidal preoccupation) OR inability to function in almost all areas (e.g., stays in bed all day, no job, home, or friends)
20 - 11
Some danger of hurting self or others (e.g., suicide attempts without clear expectation of death; frequently violent; manic excitement) OR occasionally fails to maintain minimal personal hygiene (e.g., smears feces) OR gross impairment in communication (e.g., largely incoherent or mute).
10 - 1
Persistent danger of severely hurting self or others (e.g., recurrent violence) OR persistent inability to maintain minimal personal hygiene OR serious suicidal act with clear expectation of death.
0
Inadequate information.

But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself? - Deut 1:12

Are you that fly?

I was just browsing the web, during my break and came across this blog. For those of you that finished O levels and read History of Central Africa, you will recall this phrase;

The chameleon gets behind the fly, remains motionless for some time, then he advances very slowly and gently, first putting forward one leg and then another. At last, when well within reach, he darts his tongue and the fly disappears. England is the chameleon and I am that fly.
—Lobengula

Lobengula, King of the Matebele, was a South African Ndebele king. His kingdom was the last of the major African states to be destroyed by the colonialists in southern Africa.

Parallel of great principle: Sometimes it is good to admit when you are in a fix.

Kenyan Breweries Unlimited

I am really confused about this issue and rationale... In both EA Standard and Nation

Definition: Traditional liquor is any intoxicating liquor manufactured by traditional African methods, other than distillation, which is offered, or is intended to be offered, for sale in a state of continuing fermentation without further processing.

In the 1970s, President Moi imposed the ban on the brewing and consumption of traditional liquor, saying it retarded development and contributed to breaking up of families. Last week, Finance minister, Mr Amos Kimunya, announced that Government had lifted the ban on consumption and brewing of traditional liquor including busaa, mnazi and muratina. Operators of traditional liquor premises will be required to apply and follow the same procedures as the business people who operate bars.
Reason(s); The repealing of the Act comes after lobbying by some MPs and members of the public, advocating for legalisation of traditional brews. Advocates of the brews argued that legalising them would curb consumption of illicit brews, which have in the past caused deaths.
Reactions:

1. ODM-Kenya presidential aspirant, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka said the lifting of the ban on traditional liquor is political. Kalonzo claimed it was a Government plot to derail the General Election through voter apathy because it had sensed defeat in the December poll. He said the move was to ensure people who take such brews stayed in drinking dens on the voting day. The Mwingi North MP said consumption of traditional brews would also retard development. Explain this to me.
2. At the weekend, Moi faulted the Government for lifting the ban. No further details on how he faulted the Gava.
3. Central Organisation of Trade Union Secretary General, Mr Francis Atwoli and church leaders from Baringo condemned the move, saying it would reduce productivity in workers. Am assuming it would reduce productivity because of hangover or if they drink on the job.
4. The reverend Daniel Chemon of the Full Gospel Church told Government to brace itself for mass demonstrations against the move. Mass demonstrations!

I guess that's why the LORD said to Aaron, 9 "You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. 10 You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean. Leviticus 10:8-10.

Subliminal Messages

I schedule all my appointments in Morris County as far west as Mt. Olive and as far east as Butler (not a person). That means am on the road most of the time. So in all these years I have driven in tarmac I took a keen interest today in those others commuting. The first vehicle that caught my eye was a caravan with the words Able something Locksmith. I imagined he had gotten (don't change this word please) a call from someone locked out. He should be a helpful fellow unless he was planning a Heist. Next, an AT (Armoured Truck) vehicle obviously transporting cash, jewelry, gold, who knows what else. AT career should involve being vigilant or otherwise end up on The Italian Job. Then came past me a long stretch limo. There was no way of knowing who was being driven. It was all tinted. I guessed there were two careers here: a driver, who follows orders and perhaps an Executive, who gives directives. There were many others, just like the episodes in Lost. I obviously can't name all the traffic but each had a destination to get to. Some people accomplished much, others may have just burnt gas.

Now, what is it that you say while driving? Take for instance an old, rugged, Safari Caravan that I overtook with graffiti on the side. It read Bird. Or the GMC Yukon with a United States Air Force sticker on the window emblem? How about the pick up truck with the words Morris County Mosquito Commission? ... mosquitoes?

What is it that you are saying without saying it?

Life, death and investments

Life and death surround us – it is part of what living is all about. However, for most of us the only times that we think of life is when a child is born or when we are invited to a baby shower. We are then reminded of the beauty and miracle that is life. This is also true of the inevitable truth that is death- we only come to the realization of its cruel hand when it snatches a friend or a loved one from our midst.

The reality of these was brought to my attention so forcefuly in the last couple of months. I was reminded of the joy, beauty and hope that new life brings by the birth of my niece “Maya Wambui” in April. She was aptly named after two great women – Maya Angelou a living legend, a woman of great wisdom known and respected the all over the world and Wambui – after my mother another great woman of great wisdom who on the contrary is not known by anyone else but the few in her neighbourhood that she interacts with daily and her children. However, she has had positive impact on those few that have been blessed to know her. A humble woman who has lived her life for her children and others sacrificing and loving like only a great mother can. So my niece, having been named after these two great women, I feel a sense of hope anticipation for all that this little girl will grow to become and achieve.

The going home of one of my best friends made me have to think of that dirty cruel word – death! My Friend Elaine Njeri Kabogo went to be with Jesus on March 25th– a loyal, loving friend, a Woman of faith, a faithful soldier in the army of God. She has left a legacy of faith and faithfulness (see the great testimonials/tributes on her memorial website - But however morbid the thought of death is and the fact that many of us do not like even to think of it, we have to come to terms with it – we have to think of what next, where next? My friend Elaine is in Heaven- will you go there too when you die? How can you be sure? So even as you think of the stocks and the markets and trying to live the American dream or African or whatever dream you chasing or living ….. how much more should we invest in our eternity. We will be spending the rest of our lives there you know! Jesus told us to lay our treasures in heaven where rust and moth cannot corrupt – this to me is the best financial advice as far as eternity is concerned. Jesus also asked what it would profit a man if he gained the whole world and lost his soul! It just makes the greatest financial, spiritual and eternal sense to invest in the most important gift that we have - the gift of life - for eternal returns!!

Mold

Many are the afflictions of a real estate investor particularly in low-income urban towns. Some of these afflictions are self induced (within) or external (without). I will discuss a recent external affliction in a minute but first remember this; owning rental property can be a nightmare or a good way to steadily build wealth. The difference between a profitable investment and a disaster, experienced landlords say, is often the amount of work an investor is willing to put in. Not everyone is cut out to screen tenants, track down overdue rents and field middle-of-the-night repair calls.

I recently ran into an external affliction called "Mold." Of course I have heard about it. In fact as far back as Standard 5. Never in a million years could I have imagined that I could blog about it. With the recent rains in North East, water could easily have absorbed through walls. And I specifically remember stating that too much water is not good.

So far I have learnt that mold gradually destroys the things they grow on. Molds are part of the natural environment. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash. If you own real estate, you better make a visit to the basement(s) or you will end up parting with $3000.00 to a mold removal company.

Afflictions are common to all (Job 5:7; 14:1; Ps. 34:19); are for the good of men (James 1:2, 3, 12; 2 Cor. 12:7) and the glory of God (2 Cor. 12:7-10; 1 Pet. 4:14), and are to be borne with patience by the Lord's people (Ps. 94:12; Prov. 3:12).

ETF's

For the first time I traded in ETF's. To get an understanding of what they are go to Morningstar.com. These specialized stocks have fundamentally altered the financial markets, with a sizable percentage of all volume now passing through them directly, or through their underlying components. The iShares Mexico Index Fund (EWW) has been in a powerful uptrend since 2003, rising from 11 to over 50. ( You wonder where I was all this time). I looked at the YTD return (12.78) 3 yrs (48.51) and the 5 yrs (29.43). If I plunge, at the end of the year you will hear from me, BUT if I do well, you'll probably wonder what happened to this post. Let me know whether you have placed trades in ETFs? Hata ka uliungua it's ok!

Do you believe these Warriors?

After the football season is over, many of us (I mean I) take a recess. Not this time - the Golden State Warriors have proven why underdogs are favorites. They have never won a playoff game since 1991. This year they have put up a good fight. I have followed this playoff series with gusto. This guys have kept shooting the basket, the energy is contagious. With this kind of motivation (desire to succeed) they can go far. Kind of reminds me those days za AFC Leopards, Kadenge na mpira

Lesson(s)

1. Rebound - If you have failed in the past hang tough in the paint
2. Chip in - Surround yourself with energizers.
3. Go uptempo - Whatever you do, fill up the tank with gas.